Locksmith Accreditation

The Keytek® Standard

At Keytek®, we have been serving our customers for over 20 years and have trained hundreds of locksmiths over this time. We have over 300 accredited locksmiths working across the country to ensure we have a fast, local service. We regularly assess our locksmiths skill set to make sure they are working at the highest possible skill level. We also are proud to be the UK’s largest independent locksmith company with a fully accredited network of locksmiths. We are constantly challenging ourselves to provide the best customer service we can, while working closely with Trading Standards to ensure that Keytek® are well above the standard levels of practice.

We have recently become Which? Trusted Traders which involved us undergoing a credit report, interviews and assessments as well as a thorough examination of our business procedures. The process is lengthy, but we are extremely proud to have made the grade for Which? Trusted Traders as because the assessment is so rigorous, not everyone makes the cut. We also engage the use of Feefo (a review company) to make sure that all of our customers are happy with the service they receive. We have been very pleased with the results and were excited to receive a Feefo Trusted Service award this year!

All of this proves that everyone that works at Keytek® has the ambition and drive to make sure every customer receives the highest quality of service as well as advancing and improving the regulation and training of locksmiths.

To book a fully accredited locksmith call 08081691643

Is the locksmith industry regulated by the Government?

Not many people know that there is no official government licensing for locksmithing. At the moment within the UK anyone can call themselves a locksmith. This means that it is hard for public to know if a locksmith is reliable and trustworthy. Many organisations have set up associations to try and add some regulation to the locksmithing industry. Reputable locksmith training providers also provide an accreditation through an external body to ensure that the locksmith training they are providing is regulated. Keytek® are constantly working towards an official governing body for locksmithing.

Here at the Keytek® Locksmith Training Academy we offer training that is accredited by the NCFE who we feel provide the highest standard of regulation. At Keytek® all of our locksmiths are trained to this standard and are also DBS checked. We also complete regular reviews of our locksmith to make sure our customer satisfaction remains high. As said, there is no official governing body for locksmithing, but you can protect yourself by calling a locksmith that is professionally trained, accredited and DBS checked.

Below are some of the other accreditations and associations you will find in the locksmithing industry:

The NCFE-Northern Advisory Council for Further Education

The NCFE are a national Awarding Organisation. They have been designing, developing and certificating nationally recognised qualifications for over 150 years. The NCFE is recognised as an Awarding Organisation by the qualification regulators for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The NCFE offers over 500 qualifications at different levels and in a wide range of subject areas including vocational qualifications and further education. This brings us on to locksmithing, the NCFE award locksmith training providers ‘Approved Centre Status’ and monitor courses, assuring locksmiths accredited through these programs are trained to a high standard.

City and Guilds

City and Guilds are an organisation who provides accreditation for Locksmithing. They set a professional standard which they believe a locksmith should reach for. Much like the NCFE they give training providers an ‘approved centre status’ which means they believe the training provider will educate trainee locksmiths to the standard set by themselves. City and Guilds create relevant qualifications for several industries, not just locksmithing, from entry level to the equivalent of a postgraduate degree.

To book a fully accredited locksmith call

MLA – Master Locksmith Association

The MLA are a not for profit organisation established to promote the level of skills and ethics within the locksmithing industry. The MLA has established its own licensing scheme whereby its approved companies are vetted and locksmiths are monitored and regulated. They offer training courses for beginners and for those looking to brush up on their skills. They provide a data base for potential customers to find a locksmith that they have vetted and assessed.

To book a fully accredited locksmith call 08081691645

UKLA-UK Locksmith Association

The UKLA have set guidelines for a locksmith to be ‘Trusted and Vetted’ they believe that by being a member of the UKLA you will show customers that you are at the top of your profession. You pay a yearly membership cost and have access to a logo to use on business cards and vehicles. They offer intensive training courses for locksmiths, these involve using the latest tools on the market and up to date techniques.

To book a fully accredited locksmith call

iBal- The Institute of British Accredited Locksmiths

iBal is a derivative of the locksmith company Matrix who have been providing locksmith training courses for many years. iBal’s aim is to give the public peace of mind that they are hiring a qualified and honest locksmith. All locksmiths wishing to join iBal go through a vetting process and undergo annual inspections. They will also place locksmiths on a database that means customers can find them; locksmiths can gain testimonials from happy customers.